Vietnam, Japan hold ninth defence policy dialogue

During the annual dialogue, both sides compared notes on the global and regional issues of shared concern, especially traditional security issues and emerging non-traditional challenges.

They underlined the importance of maintaining an environment of peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea for all countries in the world.

The two sides emphasized the need to settle disputes and differences via peaceful means in line with law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and reaching the early formulation of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

Regarding defence cooperation, they agreed that on the basis of the Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia between Vietnam and Japan, bilateral defence cooperation has achieved steps of development.

The areas of cooperation are increasingly expanded and deepened in a substantive manner, they said.

Both sides consented to further promote cooperation contents, including intensifying the exchange of delegations, especially at the high level, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties; and expand cooperation in defence industry, cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, UN peacekeeping, training, and military medicine.